Resurrection Men is a historical fiction book written by T.K. Welsh. This book is based on the body-snatching trials during the 1830's in London. Body snatching is the act of secretly stealing corpses from graveyards. The stolen corpses would then be sold for dissection or the study of anatomy to medical schools. Those who secretly took the corpses were often called "resurrection-men," hence the title of this book.
As the demand for corpses grew due to the increase in medical schools, resurrection men were determined to acquire the corpses more quickly. The price for corpses was slowly rising because of the need for human dissection. Resurrection men were growing so desperate for money that their tactics in stealing corpses from graveyards soon turned to plain murder. They were paid more for very fresh corpses. Often, these corpses were worth more than nine guineas, or one thousand dollars!
As the demand for corpses grew due to the increase in medical schools, resurrection men were determined to acquire the corpses more quickly. The price for corpses was slowly rising because of the need for human dissection. Resurrection men were growing so desperate for money that their tactics in stealing corpses from graveyards soon turned to plain murder. They were paid more for very fresh corpses. Often, these corpses were worth more than nine guineas, or one thousand dollars!
The summary on the back of the book describes Victor, a young orphan, who is determined to risk his life in order to track down the murderer who is at the heart of London’s body-snatching trials. Mr. Tipple and Mr. Biggs are two characters in this book who are beginning to grow impatient because of the lack of deaths. They are aware that once a child is dead, it's paradise for them. I can predict that this description of these two men may possibly be foreshadowing that they may be the resurrection men. Based on the settings and summary of this book, I predict that it will reveal a story where the body snatching activities are a mystery and the murderers are being pursued by one boy.
My reading schedule will be as follows:
1. 5 - 58
2. 59 - 112
3. 113 - 166
4. 167 - 214
Good research. The book sounds fascinating! The black font is a bit difficult to read on a dark background, though . . .
ReplyDeleteI really like the main idea that drives this book, the thught of 'resurrection men' out there digging up bodies and doing such dark deeds to gain money is chilling yet provocative. It makes me want to find out more, although my mind tells and infers gruesome situations that make me want to abstain from exploring. As cold hearted as murdering may be, I feel it is just human nature, and this aspect will be explored. I am very cautious for Victor though..
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